Poth Pirettes suffer first losses of season, continue strong play

After an impressive 11-0 start, the Poth Pirette volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season last Tuesday when the team fell to Alamo Heights, and then dropped a few additional matches while competing in the challenging Leander tournament.

During the Pirettes’ match with Alamo Heights, the teams played each other closely during the first game, but the Mules pulled off a narrow 25-23 win. Alamo Heights maintained its momentum through the second game to win 25-17, but faltered in the third as Poth battled back to win 25-16. Alamo Heights was able to win game four, though, outlasting Poth during volleyball’s version of “overtime,” to win 27-25, earning the match victory, and handing Poth its first loss of the season.

The Pirettes tried to put the loss behind them as they competed in the Leander tournament Aug. 25-27.

The Pirettes started strong on Thursday, as they defeated Spring, 25-11 and 25-12; Gregory-Portland, 25-10 and 25-18; and Bryan, 25-16, 23-25, and 25-16.

On Friday, the Pirettes had a little tougher time. They defeated Leander Rouse in straight sets, 25-17 and 25-15, but then suffered a straight-sets loss at the hands of Wimberley, 25-21 and 25-21. Poth bounced back during its match with Pflugerville Hendrickson, however, and won by the scores of 25-10 and 25-19.

Based on the team’s strong performance during pool play, the Pirettes qualified to compete in the championship bracket on Saturday.

The team started strong and picked up a nice win over Austin High by the scores of 25-19 and 25-17. Poth then fell to Leander Vista Ridge in three sets. Leander earned a 25-23 win in the first game, but Poth took the second by the score of 25-16. In the third and final game, Leander narrowly edged Poth by the score of 25-23.

With the loss, Poth found itself in the third-place match with Boerne Champion. The Pirettes struggled to find their rhythm, though, and fell 25-14 and 25-17.

Despite the loss, the Pirettes took home fourth-place honors from a tournament filled with tough opponents. Poth seniors Jordan Kotara and Avery Acker were both named to the all-tournament team.

The Pirettes were scheduled to travel to Cibolo Aug. 30 to face the Steele Lady Knights, and will travel to Buda later this week to compete in the Hays tournament.